Diplomats of Australia to India
The Australian High Commission in New Delhi High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu presenting her commission to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee , on 4 April 2016.
The high commissioner of Australia to India is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to India in New Delhi. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and is currently held by Philip Green, since 1 July 2023. The high commissioner also holds non-resident accreditation as Ambassador to Bhutan since diplomatic relations were established on 14 September 2002.[ 1] [ 2] On 21 May 2020, O'Farrell presented his commission to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind , in India's first-ever virtual credentials ceremony.[ 3] On 7 October 2022, O'Farrell presented his credentials as ambassador to the King of Bhutan , Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck , at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu .[ 4]
In December 1939, the federal government appointed Roy Gollan as its first official trade representative in India, based in Calcutta. An assistant trade commissioner was later appointed in New Delhi, while Australian interests were also represented on the Eastern Group Supply Council during World War II, establishing "a firm Australian presence in India in the 1940s".[ 5]
The Australian Government has offered diplomatic representation in India since 1943.[ 6] Between 1960 and 1986, the high commissioner also had non-resident accreditation as Ambassador to Nepal . A resident Australian Embassy in Nepal was opened on 27 April 1984, but the first resident ambassador was not appointed until 4 May 1986.[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] The high commission's work is assisted by multiple consulates throughout the country that have visiting and reporting responsibilities, as well as handling consular and trade matters for the high commission.
List of high commissioners [ edit ]
#
Officeholder
Other offices
Term start date
Term end date
Time in office
Notes
1
Iven Mackay
n/a
2 November 1943 (1943-11-02 )
29 May 1948 (1948-05-29 )
4 years, 209 days
[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
−
Charles Kevin (Acting )
29 May 1948 (1948-05-29 )
15 January 1949 (1949-01-15 )
231 days
[ 14]
2
Roy Gollan
15 January 1949 (1949-01-15 )
March 1952 (1952-03 )
3 years, 1 month
[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18]
3
Walter Crocker
March 1952 (1952-03 )
19 March 1955 (1955-03-19 )
3 years
[ 19] [ 20]
−
D. J. Munro (Acting )
19 March 1955 (1955-03-19 )
22 April 1955 (1955-04-22 )
34 days
[ 21]
4
Peter Heydon
22 April 1955 (1955-04-22 )
13 November 1958 (1958-11-13 )
3 years, 205 days
[ 22] [ 23] [ 24]
5
Walter Crocker
A
13 November 1958 (1958-11-13 )
15 March 1962 (1962-03-15 )
3 years, 122 days
[ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
−
Kevin Thomas Kelly (Acting )
A
15 March 1962 (1962-03-15 )
10 June 1962 (1962-06-10 )
87 days
[ 28]
−
Bill Pritchett (Acting )
A
10 June 1962 (1962-06-10 )
21 February 1963 (1963-02-21 )
256 days
[ 29] [ 30] [ 31]
6
James Plimsoll
A
21 February 1963 (1963-02-21 )
28 January 1965 (1965-01-28 )
1 year, 342 days
[ 32] [ 33]
7
Arthur Tange
A
28 January 1965 (1965-01-28 )
25 January 1970 (1970-01-25 )
4 years, 362 days
[ 34]
−
Rob Laurie (Acting )
A
25 January 1970 (1970-01-25 )
1 March 1970 (1970-03-01 )
35 days
[ 35]
8
Patrick Shaw
A
1 March 1970 (1970-03-01 )
26 September 1973 (1973-09-26 )
3 years, 209 days
[ 36] [ 37] [ 38]
9
Bruce Grant
A
26 September 1973 (1973-09-26 )
15 December 1975 (1975-12-15 )
2 years, 80 days
[ 39] [ 40]
10
Peter Curtis
A
26 February 1976 (1976-02-26 )
5 December 1979 (1979-12-05 )
3 years, 282 days
[ 41]
11
Gordon Upton
A
5 December 1979 (1979-12-05 )
31 May 1984 (1984-05-31 )
4 years, 178 days
[ 42]
12
Graham Feakes
A
31 May 1984 (1984-05-31 )
November 1990 (1990-11 )
6 years, 5 months
[ 43] [ 44]
13
David Evans
n/a
November 1990 (1990-11 )
February 1994 (1994-02 )
3 years, 3 months
[ 45]
14
Darren Gribble
February 1994 (1994-02 )
25 July 1997 (1997-07-25 )
3 years, 5 months
[ 46]
15
Rob Laurie
257 July 1997 (1997-07-257 )
28 August 2001 (2001-08-28 )
4 years, 34 days
[ 47]
16
Penny Wensley
B
28 August 2001 (2001-08-28 )
9 August 2004 (2004-08-09 )
2 years, 347 days
[ 48]
17
John McCarthy
B
9 August 2004 (2004-08-09 )
8 June 2009 (2009-06-08 )
4 years, 303 days
[ 49]
18
Peter Varghese
B
8 June 2009 (2009-06-08 )
30 December 2012 (2012-12-30 )
3 years, 205 days
[ 50]
19
Patrick Suckling
B
30 December 2012 (2012-12-30 )
11 February 2016 (2016-02-11 )
3 years, 43 days
[ 51] [ 52] [ 53]
20
Harinder Sidhu
B
11 February 2016 (2016-02-11 )
18 February 2020 (2020-02-18 )
4 years, 7 days
[ 54]
21
Barry O'Farrell
B
21 May 2020 (2020-05-21 )
30 June 2023
4 years, 154 days
[ 55]
22
Philip Green
1 July 2023
1 year, 113 days
^A : Also non-resident Ambassador to Nepal, 1960–1986.
^B : Also non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan, 2002–present.
Location
Open
Consular district
Consulate-General, Mumbai
1967/1979
Maharashtra , Gujarat , Goa
Consulate-General, Chennai
2007
Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , Kerala , Tamil Nadu , Telangana , Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Lakshadweep , Puducherry
Consulate-General, Kolkata
1970/2019
West Bengal , Arunachal Pradesh , Assam , Bihar , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , Manipur , Meghalaya , Mizoram , Nagaland , Odisha , Sikkim , Tripura
Consulate-General, Bengaluru
TBD
[ 56] [ 57]
The consulate-general was first opened in Bombay on the 21 August 1967, initially with a Deputy High Commissioner in charge until 1973, but was closed on the 30 April 1976 due to financial constraints,[ 58] before being reopened on 6 February 1979.[ 59] An Australian Trade Commission had been located in the city since 1939, with Roy Gollan (later high commissioner) serving as trade commissioner from 1939 to 1948.[ 60] [ 61]
Name
Start of term
End of term
References
John Melhuish (DHC)
21 August 1967
24 February 1973
[ 59] [ 62]
Thomas Venables Holland (DHC)
24 February 1973
13 May 1973
[ 59]
C. A. Bromwich (DHC)
13 May 1973
6 March 1975
[ 59]
Eric Hanfield
6 March 1975
30 April 1976
[ 59]
Consulate closed
Robert Jolly (acting)
6 February 1979
4 October 1979
[ 59]
John Dalrymple Colquhoun-Denvers
4 October 1979
15 April 1982
[ 59]
Ian Tricks
15 April 1982
13 December 1984
[ 59]
G. R. Hawker
13 December 1984
12 December 1986
[ 59]
Gavan Bromilow
12 December 1986
14 December 1989
[ 59]
Stephanie Daly
14 December 1989
10 January 1992
[ 59]
J. N. Elliot
10 January 1992
May 1993
[ 59]
Christopher Quirk
June 1993
1997
[ 59]
1997
2006
Peter Forby
July 2006
6 July 2010
[ 63]
Stephen Waters
6 July 2010
September 2013
[ 63]
Mark Pierce
September 2013
19 August 2016
[ 64]
Tony Huber
19 August 2016
25 February 2020
[ 65]
Greg Wilcock
25 February 2020
14 April 2021
[ 66]
Peter Truswell
14 April 2021
date
[ 67]
On 18 June 1970, the post was originally opened as the Deputy High Commission, Calcutta, to replace the Trade Commission which had existed in the city since 1939. Like the Bombay post, the Deputy High Commission was downgraded to a consulate-general on 13 May 1973, before being closed in April 1976 due to budget constraints.[ 68] [ 58]
Name
Start of term
End of term
References
Douglas Sturkey (DHC)
18 June 1970
6 June 1972
[ 69]
Brian Meade (DHC/CG)
6 June 1972
12 February 1975
Rodney Hodgson
12 February 1975
30 April 1976
Consulate closed
Andrew Ford
10 January 2019
April 2021
[ 70] [ 71]
Rowan Ainsworth
14 April 2021
January 2024
[ 72]
Hugh Boylan
January 2024
Current
[ 73]
Name
Start of term
End of term
References
Aminur Rahman
January 2007
July 2010
[ 74]
David Holly
July 2010
January 2014
[ 74]
Sean Kelly
January 2014
November 2017
[ 75]
Susan Grace
November 2017
March 2021
[ 76]
Sarah Kirlew
March 2021
date
[ 77]
^ CA 2754: Australian High Commission, India [New Delhi] , National Archives of Australia, retrieved 26 April 2015
^ Downer, Alexander (15 September 2002). "Australia and Bhutan Establish Diplomatic Relations" (Media Release) . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 3 June 2017 .
^ "Australia's 21st High Commissioner to India presents his credentials" (Media Release) . Australian High Commission, New Delhi. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020 .
^ "Presentation of Credentials by Ambassadors-designate of Pakistan, Australia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Canada, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Slovenia" . Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. 7 October 2022. Archived from the original (Press Release) on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Schedvin, Boris (2008). Emissaries of Trade: A History of the Australian Trade Commissioner Service (PDF) . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978 1 921244 57 5 .
^ "High Commissioner to India: Australia to have representative" . Daily Commercial News and Shipping List . Sydney, New South Wales. 26 October 1943. p. 2.
^ "Embassy to open in Nepal" . The Canberra Times . 16 March 1984. p. 11.
^ "Opening of new Australian diplomatic missions" . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . 56 (11): 1131. November 1985. Retrieved 23 October 2022 .
^ Hayden, Bill (May 1986). "Ambassador to Nepal" . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . 57 (5): 453. Retrieved 23 October 2022 .
^ "Nearer to India: Evatt" . Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertsider . 2 November 1943. p. 3.
^ "Australian High Commissioners in India and New Zealand" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 14 (9): 333. 15 November 1943. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
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^ "MACKAY IN INDIA" . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia. 15 March 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "Mr. C. Kevin for Indonesia" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 6 January 1953. p. 2.
^ "DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS" . Commonwealth of Australia Gazette . No. 165. Australia, Australia. 16 December 1948. p. 4219. Retrieved 23 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "Appointed High Commissioner to India" . The Argus . Melbourne, Victoria. 6 October 1948. p. 5.
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 20 (1): 119. January 1949. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "MR. GOLLAN FOR POST IN INDIA" . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 October 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "High Commissioner to India" . Newcastle Herald and Miner’s Advocate . NSW. 15 March 1952. p. 3.
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 23 (3): 139. March 1952. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 26 (3): 241. March 1955. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "High Commissioner to India" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 4 February 1955. p. 2.
^ "Australian High Commissioner to India" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 26 (2): 126–127. February 1955. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 26 (4): 300. April 1955. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Australian High Commissioner to India" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 29 (7): 437. July 1958. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 29 (11): 777. November 1958. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Australian Ambassador to Nepal" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 31 (2): 89. February 1960. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 33 (3): 56. March 1962. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Furlonger, Bob (8 February 2014). "William Pritchett: From diplomat to head of Defence Department" . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014.
^ "Australian gift parcels in India" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 11 January 1963. p. 13.
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 33 (6): 66. June 1962. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Sir James Plimsoll for India" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 22 February 1963. p. 3.
^ Barwick, Garfield (21 February 1963). "Appointment of Australian High Commissioner to India" . Department of External Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Department of External Affairs: Appointments" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 36 (1): 51. January 1965. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 41 (2): 86. February 1970. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Mr Patrick Shaw to India" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 2 March 1970. p. 1.
^ McMahon, William (1 March 1970). "Australian High Commissioner in India" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Department of External Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas" . Current Notes on International Affairs . 41 (4): 246. April 1970. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Whitlam, Gough (26 September 1973). "Senior Australian diplomatic appointments" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Peacock, Andrew (20 November 1975). "High Commissioner's application for leave" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Peacock, Andrew (26 February 1976). "Appointment of High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Nepal" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Peacock, Andrew (5 December 1979). "High Commissioner to India" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ "Feakes named for India post" . The Canberra Times . ACT. 1 June 1984. p. 3.
^ Bowen, Lionel (31 May 1984). "Diplomatic appointment - India and Nepal" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Evans, Gareth (7 September 1990). "Diplomatic Appointment - India" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Evand, Gareth (14 December 1993). "Diplomatic appointment: India" (Media Release) . ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ Downer, Alexander (25 July 1997). "Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
^ Downer, Alexander (28 August 2001). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
^ Downer, Alexander (9 August 2004). "Diplomatic Appointment - High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
^ Smith, Stephen (8 June 2009). "Diplomatic Appointment - High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
^ "Australia appoints new High Commissioner to India" . Australian Broadcasting Commission. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013.
^ "Career diplomat Patrick Suckling to head New Delhi mission" . The Australian . AAP. 30 December 2012.
^ Carr, Bob (30 December 2012). "Engagement with India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015.
^ Bishop, Julie (11 February 2016). "High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016.
^ Payne, Marise (18 February 2020). "High Commissioner to India" (Press release). Australian Government.
^ "BTS 2021: Australian PM announces consulate office, centre of excellence in Bengaluru" . The Hindu . 18 November 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022 .
^ "Australia seeks to establish new Consulate General in Bengaluru: Scott Morrison" . The Economic Times . 17 November 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022 .
^ a b "Foreign Affairs: Reduction of Expenditure" . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . 47 (2): 96. February 1976. Retrieved 22 October 2022 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m CA 8015: Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai [India] , National Archives of Australia, retrieved 2 June 2022
^ "TRADE COMMISSION SERVICE" . Dalgety's Review . Western Australia. 14 December 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "TRADE COMMISSIONS" . Cairns Post . Queensland, Australia. 2 March 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^ Hayden, Bill (April 1983). "Consul-General in San Francisco" . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . 54 (4): 154. Retrieved 23 October 2022 .
^ a b Smith, Stephen (6 July 2010). "Diplomatic Appointment - Consul-General in Mumbai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011.
^ "Consul-General in Mumbai, 13 June 2013, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs" . Asia Pacific Security Magazine. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2022 .
^ Bishop, Julie (19 August 2016). "Consul-General in Mumbai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ Payne, Marise (25 February 2020). "Consul-General in Mumbai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ Payne, Marise (14 April 2021). "Consul-General in Mumbai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ CA 8015: Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai [India] , National Archives of Australia, retrieved 2 June 2022
^ Peacock, Andrew (March 1979). "Diplomatic appointments" . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . 50 (3): 167. Retrieved 23 October 2022 .
^ Payne, Marise (10 January 2019). "Consul-General in Kolkata" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ Banerjee, Sudeshna (22 May 2019). "Meet Andrew Ford, the consul general of the recently reopened Australian consulate general in Calcutta" . The Telegraph . Retrieved 2 June 2022 .
^ Payne, Marise (14 April 2021). "Consul-General in Kolkata" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/consul-general-kolkata .
^ a b Smith, Stephen (6 July 2010). "Diplomatic Appointment - Consul-General in Chennai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011.
^ Bishop, Julie (10 January 2014). "Appointment of Consul-General in Chennai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ Bishop, Julie (24 November 2017). "Consul-General in Chennai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
^ Payne, Marise (19 March 2021). "Consul-General in Chennai" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
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